Long-Term Brain and Behavior Study of Autism from Infancy through Adolescence
Official title: A Longitudinal Brain and Behavior Study of Autism From Infancy Through Adolescence
Funded at Univ of North Carolina Chapel Hill · NIH-11478433 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This NIH project follows children at risk for autism from infancy into adolescence to understand how brain and behavior evolve over time.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Univ of North Carolina Chapel Hill NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Chapel Hill, United States) |
| Project start | July 1, 2007 |
| Project end | August 31, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $151,200 |
| NIH project number | 3R01HD055741-20S2 |
| Project ID | NIH-11478433 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Children at high familial risk for autism and their families who can commit to long-term follow-up through adolescence.
✕Less likely to help
Individuals not at risk for autism or those unable to participate in long-term follow-up may not directly benefit.
What this research studies
The study tracks about 400 children (300 with higher autism risk and 100 lower risk) across ages from infancy through adolescence, using brain imaging and behavior assessments to map how ASD features develop. Researchers will collect detailed data at multiple time points, including the teen years, to see how early brain patterns relate to later autism traits and mental health challenges. The goal is to identify markers that appear early and track their changes as children grow into teenagers and young adults. Participants and families will be involved in long-term follow-up visits, with careful monitoring and support as needed.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: Findings could improve early detection and guide interventions so autistic teens face fewer challenges.
How similar studies have gone: Previous ACE Network work showed early brain and behavior markers of ASD and predictive power for diagnosis by 24 months, suggesting this extended follow-up could yield further actionable insights.
Where this research is happening
-
Univ of North Carolina Chapel Hill
Chapel Hill, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Piven, Joseph — Univ of North Carolina Chapel Hill
- Study coordinator: Piven, Joseph
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About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page.